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  I press my fingers over her luscious lip. Her eyes widen, her lips part and I just smile at her. “Baby, if that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do.”

  “Really?” She says against my fingers.

  I remove my fingers, lean over and kiss those full lips and smile against them, then I move back and lay my hand on her shoulder, my fingers playing with her soft hair. “Really. I agree.”

  Her brows lower and her face looks like she’s deep in thought. “That was too easy. What’s the catch?”

  My laugh breaks free before I can stop it, but she’s too damn cute. “I’m actually glad you decided this. I wanted to talk to you about doing just that but with everything that’s been going on the last few days…. Well, I didn’t want to bother you with it. It just didn’t seem to be the right time.”

  She looks down at our sleeping son and then back up at me. “I know I was in pain and then I really got into a deep funk. I’m sorry I haven’t….”

  “Shhhh. I’ve heard about depression after having a baby, okay, well, I asked and with your stomach issues too, I don’t blame you, Pearl.”

  She smiles. “That was a genius plan you concocted. Truly genius.”

  I laugh and rub my chin. “Ha, I learned from the best.” I flick her nose, and she giggles. Best sound ever. “When do you want to move?”

  Jasper gives a little whimper and snuggles into Pearl’s chest and lets out a big sigh then continues to sleep. I look up at Pearl and see she’s smiling at me. “Is now too soon?”

  By that weekend, I’ve run my ass off getting more people hired for the bar. Bo agreed to help oversee as well as keep things updated in the office since he does the same for their restaurant. Jade and Knox said they will help out in both businesses as well. Pearl or I will go in when we can but our main priority is our family. I hired a moving company, per Knox’s recommendation, by Saturday night, we are moved in but have a bunch of things to unpack still and put away, however, we’re exhausted and Pearl said we can work on them a little at a time.

  “Daddy?” I look at Rosie’s sweet face, her mouth covered in chocolate, and smile.

  “Yes, pumpkin?”

  “I think you need to get the playground up first ‘cos…. ‘Cos I will miss mine and…. And I would be sad and cry.” Her little lips form into a chocolate pout, and mine clamp shut to hold in my laughter. My eyes shift over to Pearl, who’s also red in the face from holding in her laughter, and my eyebrows raise at her. She raises hers back, and I see her chest move a pinch as she closes her eyes and tries not to release a laugh. Finally, she covers her mouth and takes a deep breath and looks right into my eyes.

  “Oh, pumpkin. I think that’s a wonderful idea.” Now, Pearl’s cocking her head and raising only one brow and smirks at me then her face softens as she looks at Rosie. “And I think you would be a big helper.”

  I look over at Rosie, who’s now bouncing up and down in her toddler seat, clapping her hands and yelling. “Yea!”

  She looks at me and smiles, and I smile back then look at Pearl and give her my ‘you’re gonna pay for that’ look. She laughs and covers her mouth quickly, then takes a bite of food and winks at me. We haven’t made love since Jasper was born and my cock just twitched in double time. Grabbing my napkin off the table, I lay it on my lap, trying to cover myself and Pearl’s laughter rings out in the room. Guess I’ll be working on the playground tomorrow.

  After dinner and helping to clean up the kitchen, I kiss my family goodbye and drive to the nearest hardware store to buy all the things I need to build Rosie’s fort. I also bought a variety of playthings, including a sandbox. Good thing I still had the small rental moving truck I got for a bunch of the things Pearl didn’t want to go with the moving company. After backing the truck up to the garage, I get out and lock it up and am thankful that the property has a security gate, much like the one at Pearl’s parents’ house. I’m even more exhausted by the time I get upstairs. I can’t wait for a much needed hot shower and some snuggling time with my baby.

  I go into each of the kid’s rooms, kiss them goodnight and envy that they are already asleep. Walking into our bedroom, I start removing my clothes. I hear the shower running and smile. I throw my dirty clothes into the hamper in our closet, and when I get closer to the bathroom door, I hear humming. Pushing the door open, I see my baby standing under the spray. Her hair wet and as she washes the soapy water slides down her beautiful body, and suddenly I’m wide awake. I open the shower door and quickly step inside, shut it and then wrap my arms around her waist as my hands taking her hair and moving it over her shoulder, my mouth kissing her neck. “Mmmmm,” she moans.

  She turns in my arms and places her hands on my shoulders. I step backwards as she pushes lightly, a huge smile on my face and my heart beating fast with desire. My legs hit the shower bench and she pushes down on my shoulders until I sit. I’m confused and most likely show that on my face, but then she kneels in between my legs and engulfs my hardened cock into her mouth. Her hand kneading and rolling my balls and my eyes roll back into my head as I lean back against the cold tile. “Pearl.” I moan as she sucks my thick shaft, her teeth grazing it lightly as her mouth moves up and down. We haven’t had sex for so long I’m afraid I won’t last long, especially with the feeling of her warm mouth on me.

  “Hmmmm,” she hums and the vibrations take me over the edge as her hand massages my balls faster.

  I can feel my liquid release a little into her mouth and then more until it’s completely gone. My eyes open just in time to see her throat constricting as she swallows the last bit. I grab her upper arms pulling her up my body and into my lap, my mouth covering hers in an instant. “Fuck, baby, that was incredible and just what I needed.” She smiles against my lips, her tongue peeking out and licking my bottom lip. “Thank you.” I’m still panting as we press our foreheads together, trying to get some much needed air as I look into her beautiful sparkling eyes. “I feel bad though. I wish I could reciprocate.”

  Her finger rubs up and down the side of my face, and I warm with her touch. “No, babe. It’s okay. You’ve been there for me, supported me, comforted me, and put up with all my hormonal moods through the entire pregnancy, it’s the least I could do.” Her eyes fill with tears and her chin quivers. “After Jasper was born you were so great, helping out with the kids and everything around the house and then you came up with the best plan to help me get out of my depression. I’ll never forget that.”

  I wipe a tear from under her eye and cup her chin in my hand. “Come. You sit and let me wash myself. I’ll get you dried off, get you into your jams and we’ll go cuddle. All I want right now is you in my arms.” She sniffs and sits down on the bench as I stand, and make quick time getting washed. Once I’ve gotten her into bed, I wrap her into my arms and close my eyes. Nothing better than having my baby in my arms. I have more than I ever imagined I would ever have in my life. The girl of my dreams, two wonderful children, and a cottage off a private beach. But, most of all, my family is my happiness, my life and I’ll do anything to keep them safe, loved and protected. Anything.

  Chapter Twenty

  One year later….

  “I’m so sorry, Pearl. The tumor has grown again. I’m afraid your time may be getting shorter. I will give you a higher dose of your pain medication, which should help some. If there’s anything you need, please call me immediately.” I nod and watch as Dr. Phillip puts his things back into his black bag and sigh. He’s been visiting more often, and I know everyone is worried, especially Harley.

  “Thank you, Dr. Phillip. For everything.” He smiles as he pats my arm, picks up his bag as he turns and walks out of the room. I look out the window, tears forming and my heart begins to beat rapidly. I’m not sure if it’s from the pain, the fear of dying or leaving Harley and the kids behind. Maybe it’s a bit of them all. I hear footsteps and turn my head to see Harley walking towards the bed and quickly, I wipe my eyes, putting a smile on my face. “Hey, babe.”

/>   He sits down on the bed beside my legs and takes my hand in his, bringing it up to his mouth and kissing it. “How are you feeling? Any relief yet?” I continue to smile and nod. “You know you don’t have to be so strong for me. I am the man of the house and am supposed to be the strong one.” I let out a laugh and it feels so good.

  I pull my hand from his and lay it against his face and feel the softness of his scruff I love so much. “You are the strong one, my love. All of my strength I pull from you.” His hand covers mine, and a tear rolls from his eye as he closes them. I don’t know how long we stay like this. Time is hard for me to tell anymore as everything seems clouded. “Take me outside, Harley. I want to sit on the deck and watch the kids. I need some warmth from the sun.” He opens his eyes and doesn’t speak. He simply puts his arms under my legs and around my lower back and lifts me effortlessly. His mouth softly kisses my lips, and I smile as he walks me out of our room, down the stairs and through our house until he sets me down on a lounger on the deck. I raise my face upwards, feeling the sun’s warmth on my skin and pray to God that I can stay for a while longer.

  “Mama! Look!” My eyes open and I look down at the playground and see Rosie building a sand castle. Jasper is in his playpen playing with his little cars beside it under the umbrella for shade.

  “It’s beautiful, darling!” She grins from ear to ear and plans just formed in my head. “Harley?” He turns his head, leaning his arms on the railing and smiles. “Can you bring my easel, paints and cloths to the deck? Maybe under the umbrella?” His eyes light up and he takes off jogging towards me, leans down and kisses me hard. I giggle as I watch him run into the house. Yes, this will be perfect!

  Two hours later and I’ve done so much. “That is beautiful, baby.” Harley kisses my cheek as he stands beside me watching me paint. “I had no idea just how incredible of a painter you are. You have never shown me the ones you’ve done.”

  “Well, once I saw this sexy, hot, hunky man, I just put painting all behind me,” I laugh. I turn to him suddenly, my brows lowering and fear pumps through me. “I have so much now I want to get done, things I want to capture before….”

  My arms wrap around him tight as he takes me into his arms. “You just tell me what you need, baby. If you need more supplies, make me a list and I’ll get whatever you need.”

  “What I need I’m afraid you can’t get me, my love. I need time,” I whisper.

  His head presses against mine, the soft scruff on his face rubbing up and down my skin as his arms hold me tighter. “I’d give you all the time in the world if I could. You know that.” My tears fall on my arm, and we keep ahold of each other until we hear Jasper start to cry.

  “Go, my love. I’ll clean up here and start dinner.” I lean back and kiss his mouth hard, my hands encasing his face, and then I look into his eyes and smile. “Go.” He takes off for Jasper, and I look back at my painting and sigh. I have so much to do, and I’m not sure how much time I have.

  Laughter rings out during dinner, and I watch Rosie as she giggles when Harley tickles her. She’s getting to be such a big girl in her toddler seat at the table. I look over at Jasper, holding his bottle himself and making a mess on his high chair tray with his food, when another idea hits me, and I smile. “What are you thinking so hard about in that beautiful head of yours?” I turn to Harley, my heart swelling with love as I scan his gorgeous face.

  “Just thinking about how lucky I am. Two beautiful children and the most handsome man on the planet.” He laughs, but then stops, his face changing, softening and showing me all the love he feels for me. I stare into his beautiful, sparkling blue eyes and can’t believe he’s mine. “How’d I get so lucky?” I whisper.

  He looks over at the kids and then back at me. “You’d better stop with that kind of talk or I’m liable to take you right here on the table in front of our kids. I don’t think that’s the best way to get their sex education.” My heart flutters with his words. How does he always manage to make me feel so special, so hot and desirable, even when I’m at my lowest?

  “Well, sir. I suggest you hurry up and get finished so we can get these little ones in bed. I have plans tonight with a certain hot and sexy someone.” His eyebrows raise, and his face has now changed to full desire.

  “Come on, kids. Eat up!” He says in his low and raspy voice that sends me over the edge.

  We make record time, after that. I clean up the kitchen in a flurry as he bathes the kids and gets them in bed. By the time he walks into our bedroom, I notice he’s already gotten his shirt off and is unbuttoning his jeans. His eyes bore into mine when he scans my body as I lay on my side of the bed in his favorite purple camisole and matching panties. We make love like it’s the last time we will ever be able to, full of love and passion, and I have the most intense orgasm I’ve ever had. Afterwards, we hold each other tight like we can’t get close enough and are afraid to let go. It takes me much longer than him to fall asleep as my mind won’t shut down with all the plans I want to accomplish before my time here is over. Right before I begin to drift off I say a prayer asking for more time.

  “Surprise!” I look around at my family, tears filling my eyes, and cover my mouth with my hands. It’s midafternoon and I cannot figure out why everyone is here.

  “What’s? What’s all this?” My eyes scan our living room at all the smiling faces, and my heart skips a beat when I look at Harley, standing there all hot and gorgeous and holding a bouquet of the same different colors of roses like we had at our wedding. Our wedding! It’s our second anniversary. I smack my head with my hand and laughter breaks out. He walks over to me, handing me the roses and kisses my mouth soundly.

  “Don’t tell me you forgot?” he whispers. I sigh, and he chuckles. “Well, don’t worry. I did too. Your mom called and reminded me this morning.” I raise my eyebrows and give him my best smirk. “Ha, well, it’s not like we haven’t had a million things going on.” I lean in and kiss him again, and it becomes a little heated until I hear the clearing of throats and coughing behind him. I take his hand, and he turns around to face everyone and we both start laughing.

  Dad chooses that moment to walk up to us, Mom in tow. “Hey, there’s really nothing we can give you, that you don’t already have so….” He looks at Mom and then back at us with a smile. “How about we let you all go out for the evening and we’ll entertain the kids.”

  Harley looks at me and waggles his brows. “Think we can find a cheap hotel for a couple of hours.” Laughter bursts from everywhere including me. “Hey, a man has to try!”

  I look at him with all the love I possess. “Hey! Why don’t you all come with us to get our pictures made? I want one of each family and then all together! Then we can go out to dinner.” Harley gives me an incredulous look and then smiles.

  He leans into me, his lips up close to my ear. “I think that’s the best idea. Nothing better than celebrating with our family. And who knows. Maybe I’ll get lucky afterwards.” A giggle leaves my mouth, but the warmth in my heart escalates as he breathes into my ear.

  “Great idea!” Mom shouts. “Then after dinner you both can go off and we’ll bring the kids home, bathe them and put them to bed for you. I’d love to have some copies of the pictures.”

  “Me too!” Stormy yells.

  Shortly after, everyone leaves to get cleaned up and changed, and we’re meeting at a photography place I called to have our pictures made. Harley helped me get the kids ready and cornered me in the closet as I was changing. Okay, that may have delayed us a little but totally worth it. The pictures turned out better than I could have hoped for, and dinner was one of the best times I’ve ever had. Harley and I went out for a movie, making out in the back row. We went to a secluded beach that I knew of, made love and went skinny dipping, and then went for a walk holding hands. I was exhausted by the time we got home. I kissed mom and dad goodnight, and Harley thanked them for the best anniversary gift ever. Harley held me in his arms all night, but as usual, I la
y awake for most of it and listened to him breathe. I get scared to close my eyes in the darkness of the night anymore as I’m not sure if I’ll awaken the next day.

  It’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining and instead of doing what used to be my normal, laying in the sun to get a tan, I’ve been painting as the kids play in the yard and after lunch, the next part of my tasks continue. Harley went to the bar to get some paperwork done and visit with Pete for a while. He needs some time for himself, do some man stuff and be around other people. He doesn’t think so, but I do. Rosie didn’t want to take a nap, so I read her a book and rocked her, and it didn’t take her long to fall asleep. Now, I’m sitting down at the kitchen table where I can look outside and write a few letters. It’s so hard to put into words how you feel, how much you love someone and really make them understand. I sit and look out the slightly open back door and feel a cool breeze on my face and smile looking down at the paper and begin writing.

  To my first child, Rosie,

  Rosie, my pumpkin. I may not have given birth to you, but in my heart, I couldn’t love you any more as if I had. Someday ask your dad what he went through to get you into his life. Later on when you’re older and at times thinking he’s being unfair, think about how much he loves you. Think about what he did to get you and how he would die for you. Always remember he loves you, no matter what. When you get to the age where you start thinking about boys, a lot, know that I was a virgin until I met your dad and there isn’t anything wrong in waiting for the right person. Sex is personal. It’s giving something of yourself that you’ll never get back, so be particular in who you give it to. You want to make sure the boy (or man) who takes that love holds it dear to him, loves you back with the same intensity, and that he treats you as if nothing in the world is more important than you. Remember me in your heart, in your mind and in your memories and I will live with you forever. You are one of the best things that ever happened in my life. I love you so much, and I always will.